Sabah lass Cassandra wins gold at Abu Dhabi world jiu-jitsu championship

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu exponent Cassandra J. Poyong made the country proud by becoming the first Malaysian female to win a gold medal in the Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019.

The 30-year-old Sabahan lass defeated two other contestants, Marianna Jurkiewicz from Poland and Jelsilene Monteiro from Brazil in the women's under 55kg category.

Commenting on her victory, Poyong who trains at Monarchy MMA gym in Kuala Lumpur said her win was no doubt a team effort.

"It was a team effort, no doubt. From the gruelling training to the crazy weight cuts and insane bath salt soak (this was super crazy) somehow I knew everyone was right behind me, endlessly supporting my decisions and my every move," she wrote on her Instagram post recently.

Throughout her career in BJJ, Poyong who hails from Kota Kinabalu, had also won two golds in this year's IBJJF Manila Open, and various gold medals in Malaysia's very own Copa da Malasia jiu-jitsu tournament.

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This World title came long time ago. It came last year when I was telling her pretty much everyday that she had to go to Abu Dhabi for this competition. At first she said: how can I do that? Then eventually she started to reply: YES Professor. She didn’t have sponsorship and we didn’t know how that would happened. I just kept working on her mind until she believe on it. If you really want something you will find a way to do it. Many good and bad things happened to her on the way. But the focus was only one. To become a World Champion. Back in 2003 when I wanted to give up on Jiu-Jitsu because I thought I couldn’t become a World Champion, my professor told me that maybe wasn’t my destiny to become a world champion but to help someone to become a world champion. You’re right as always Mestre Buda @adalbertojiujitsu . There she is. Our World Champion !! Abu Dhabi World Masters Champion. Thanks @monarchymma Team for the amazing team work. #bjjmalaysia #grapplermag #bjjasia #bjjasiagirls #monarchymma #jiujitsu #worldchampion #uaejjf

A post shared by Bruninho Barbosa (@bruninhobbjj) on
Apr 29, 2019 at 11:56pm PDT

Running from 20-26 April, the Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship drew thousands of athletes from around the world, competing for the championship title.

The world stage tournament is regarded as the largest and most important event on the global jiu-jitsu calendar.

This year’s edition has attracted even more of the top champion competitors from around the globe than ever before.

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So much to say but somehow I remain speechless. This event definitely made a good big dent in my life. GOLD IN ABU DHABI WORLD MASTERS JIU JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 They said I am the 1st Malaysian Woman to have brought this title back to Malaysia (crazee awesome, haha!) • What can I say? It was a team effort, no doubt. From the gruelling training to the crazy weight cuts and insane bath salt soak(this was super crazy) somehow I knew everyone was right behind me, endlessly supporting my decisions and my every move. • • I went to Abu Dhabi alone but I wasn't. Everyone was with me every step of the way. There I was taken care of by Professor @brenovieiraandrade , his wife, @marionebravo and their kids. Such an amazing family. I wish to the world that this family will get everything you seek and be blessed with every happiness the world can give. • • Also special thanks to @zeroexcel for you tiptop cornering. Amazing! • • I plead to @ocm_mom to look this way and see my achievements and see what this MALAYSIAN WOMAN can do for Malaysia. • • Thank you to my teammates in @monarchymma for the training, to Professors @bruninhobbjj @edinhovander @luizribeirobjj @thamires_possiderio @arielson_ozama @vanbarbosajj and Master @mehdi.bk88 for your selfless guidance and love. • • To them, the people who have supported me from the beginning @peakperformancephysiolab @pfcstudio @labrasiliasuperfoods @orangonuts To my business venture @organicallymoi (do check this out to support me!) I want to compete overseas more, please let me know if you can assist. Professor @bruninhobbjj , here is your WORLD CHAMPION